When we think about the Internet of Things, the first thing that comes to mind as consumers is smart implementation. Over the past few years, we've seen an eruption of IoT devices in the smart home market. Integration of multiple ecosystems, including home security, lighting, heating, water, etc. offers users unified control over their homes.

For most people, IoT ends there, but the other side of IoT exists in the enterprise market. These IoT devices serve to provide high levels of security and reliability, are often deployed in rugged environments, and are meant to have a long life span. Lantronix is one of the players in the side of the IoT market that consumers don't usually see. Today, the company introduced an enterprise grade 802.11ac Wi-Fi bridge module for industrial applications.Lantronix's new module, the PremierWave 2050, is intended to provide robust security and networking for mission-critical data. OEMs typically task R&D with creating the modules themselves, which can be time consuming, and since the types of products being deployed in the enterprise market are intended to last for multiple years, OEMs must be confident that the networking solutions will work as designed. Lantronix's goal with the PremiereWave 2050 is to provide OEMs a production-ready networking solution so that OEMs can aim their time and resources elsewhere.

A feature that's expected to be one of the PremiereWave 2050's big selling points is its direct Wi-Fi service interface. This feature will allow operational technology and/or tech support crews to service a particular device without interrupting the device or requiring full access to the network. An example of how this application is useful would be in a hospital, where sensitive information must be kept secure. A tech support representative tasked with routinely servicing the hospital's machines may require network access on these machines. The service interface will allow service to be conducted without exposing the entire hospital's network.

Lantronix plans to demonstrate the PremiereWave 2050 at Embedded World 2016. PremiereWave 2050 evaluation kits are now available for sampling via Lantronix's website.

Alexander Quejado is an Associate Contributing Writer for Tom's Hardware and Tom's IT Pro. Follow him onTwitterandFacebook.